Invisible needy

We have an animal advocacy group here helping our city animal control officers with the huge backlog they have. The volunteers make visits on low priority animal welfare calls. (they also run the pet food monthly pantry that provides over 3 tons of food a month)

What they are starting to find is humans needing help. One woman was living on a relative's porch with her pitbull in 95 degree heat. Another older homeless man, in addition to help for his two starving dogs, needed help himself. It is a very sad job. The animals in need had been called in as needing help but the owners themselves needed as much help.

Another find is our volunteer group started talking to each person bringing in animals to the pound. They have found some just need to access resources/knowledge to save the animals. Many families have saved their family pets with the help and information given.

What a good organization.

Sounds like a wonderful community response, listening and responding to the need rather than a hierarchy of an organization.

So is this organization for needy pets also helping the needy humans? Is the woman still living on the porch? Is the man still homeless? Are other organizations being bought into the fold to help all? Just wondering about how the administration for the help has changed in response to what the "needy pet" organization is finding.

They can give referral information and contact other organizations but that is the limit of their ability. Because what is there on the scene are two VOLUNTEERs who are ordinary citizens with an interest in helping answer animal welfare calls. It is also a private charitable group receiving zero public funds. They have no financial resources to provide immediate direct help. Referral is all they can do. I do not know whether the official animal control officers do more.

They do have access to several very active organizations for the homeless here but it still takes some form of action by the individuals when given the info or action by the other organizations. The homeless man was well known by the police and other organizations as are many in our downtown area. These organizations probably are the ones calling Animal Control about the animals involved.

My post is how so many are pretty invisible to the general population, like me, but such sad situations exist. These VOLUNTEERS did not go out expecting to find humans in as much need as their animals. It is a new program for this group. They do a big animal food pantry and survey low income districts for animals in need of fencing to get them off chains. If you want to read the stories it is: Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside (FIDO) on Facebook.

I'm impressed and grateful for such people, sweetana.

Each of use can do similar invisible activities if we choose. There may be isolated individuals who need simple daily contact to ensure that they feel validated, others need a ride to outings occasionally or bringing them books etc from the local library. We just need to look.

The saddest stories are when a news report explains that a body was found months later, decomposed, because their bills were on auto-pay and no one knew that they were dead or even missing,

Razz, something similiar to that happened at my motherinlaw's senior community. A man was found dead in his apartment and had been dead for a number of days. So they all had a meeting to discuss what they can do to prevent this and many formed "watch out for neighbors" groups. I know mom was saved because her neighbors did not see her and kept knocking until she opened the door. They immediately got her to the hospital. (should have called 911 but they know now to do that). It is dangerous for the introverted isolated individuals that seldom leave their apartments.

Maybe I should wear a toe tag for just this eventuality...:sick:

When I lived in a condo the old lady above me died but her brother in law and sister lived above her so they noticed. Then the other sister died and Ted was alone. I saw Ted on his birthday and he was headed to a casino alone for his free meal. He was such a nice guy. A few weeks later his relatives call me because he was supposed to be in Florida but never arrived. I checked the parking lot and his car was there. I pounded on the door and no answer so I call the police. Ted had died like a week before.

So sad.

I don't know. You get old, you die. Does it matter if you die alone or surrounded by people?

I don't think so. I hope I die in relative comfort, and don't make a mess, but given a choice, I'd rather die alone. I certainly don't want anyone weeping over me.

Dying is a very private matter; it's not like you can take your friends with you.

The thought of dying is sort of like I recall giving birth. I did not want an audience of family/friends right there; it felt like it should be a very private time.

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Originally Posted by JaneV2.0

I don't think so. I hope I die in relative comfort, and don't make a mess, but given a choice, I'd rather die alone. I certainly don't want anyone weeping over me.

Dying is a very private matter; it's not like you can take your friends with you.

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I half agree with you. I think I'd like to have my dog with me, and if I have a life partner then, I'd like her to be there too. But no one else. I think a fentenyl (powerful synthetic opioid) would probably be a quick and painless way to end it at the very end of life.

When I turn it around, I want to be there when Harlan dies. I want to hold him close, comfort him as best I can, and let him go when it is over.

If I had a life partner, I would want to do something similar to comfort her.

One of best groups I know of in my area is Hospice. I have a lot of praise to heap on some of these compassionate people who facilitate a dignified death for so many people. Still, many do die alone but they are used to being alone. Once dead, they don’t care about anything anymore. But many public servants tidy up after them and life goes on.

I agree--hospice is the way to go--literally.

My aunt died alone, napping on her couch. Her adult children discovered her in a day or two. I can't think of a better way to go.

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Originally Posted by JaneV2.0

My aunt died alone, napping on her couch. Her adult children discovered her in a day or two. I can't think of a better way to go.

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The "good death". May we all experience it when we must.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JaneV2.0

I agree--hospice is the way to go--literally.

My aunt died alone, napping on her couch. Her adult children discovered her in a day or two. I can't think of a better way to go.

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Indeed. My aunt was equally lucky. Spent saturday evening volunteering at te VFW bingo night and when her daughter came to take her to church the next morning she was gone.

Far better than the six months my dad suffered in the hospital.

My grandfather came in from a long day of farming, sat in his favorite chair to nap before dinner and never woke up. Perfect. At least for him.

My 90-year old g-grandfather reportedly died chopping wood, and my grandmother keeled over on her way to a club meeting. I'm hoping for my aunt's gentle exit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JaneV2.0

I don't know. You get old, you die. Does it matter if you die alone or surrounded by people?

I don't think so. I hope I die in relative comfort, and don't make a mess, but given a choice, I'd rather die alone. I certainly don't want anyone weeping over me.

Dying is a very private matter; it's not like you can take your friends with you.

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Some people want loved ones to ease them through the transition. They are saying goodbye too.